Cancer centre launches $200,000 fundraising campaign during Breast Cancer Awareness month
The majority of breast cancer cases on the island within the past three years have affected Black women, according to the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.
The statistic was revealed as the BCHC said it wanted to raise $200,000 this month – Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
BCHC programme manager Azuree Williams said: “Over the past three years, we have seen 217 reported cases on the island, with almost 70 per cent of those cases impacting Black women.
“While breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the island, the encouraging fact is that there are more treatment options and a better chance of survival when breast cancer is found early.”
Breast cancer is not only a women’s issue – with one per cent of men in Bermuda affected by the disease.
The main entrance of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will be bathed in a soft pink light every night during the month of October.
The light is to remind the public to manage their breast health and to highlight breast cancer awareness.
Last year, Bermuda Hospitals Board upgraded its 2D mammography unit to a 3D unit. The GE Pristina machine produces significantly clearer images. Research has shown that more cancers are detected with 3D mammography than with 2D.
BHB also has an automated breast ultrasound unit that can soon be used as an adjunct to the mammogram service, for people with dense breast tissue. Research shows that using the ABUS increases by 35.7 per cent the potential to find cancers that would not have been found with mammography alone.
Physician referrals are not required for mammograms at BHB. Members of the public aged 40 and over are advised to have a scan annually. Those who have a family history of breast cancer can contact the BHB mammography unit directly on 239 1223 for advice on when they should be scanned.
To ensure early detection for patients, BCHC has partnered with the Know Your Lemons Foundation.
The Foundation is dedicated to early cancer detection around the world through creative and empowering education. Its social media campaign #knowyourlemons reached one billion people in 2020.
A BCHC spokesperson said: “The prevalence of breast cancer in our community paired with the positive outcomes when caught early is why Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is a Global Education Partner with the Know Your Lemons Foundation.
“Through this partnership, the centre works to improve early detection for breast cancer through innovative and empowering education using fun and colourful ways to help break through the barriers of fear, cost and understanding.
“A free programme, Know Your Lemons presentations are available to the community and cover everything from risk factors for breast cancer, the 12 symptoms of breast cancer and life-saving tools for early detection.”
This month BCHC has a fundraising goal of $200,000. All of the funds raised will go towards either the charity’s equal access fund or free breast health education through “Know Your Lemons”.
To get involved this month, people can register for BF&M’s Cancer awareness walk, buy a $10 raffle ticket, book a “Know Your Lemons” presentation featuring Ms Williams, a certified “lemonista”, or by hosting their own fundraising event.
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